The centre of Madrid was tonight packed with 500,000 people who came together to show their support for the city’s bid host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2016.

The huge show of solidarity came just ahead of the Madrid 2016 bid team flying to Copenhagen for the decision by the International Olympic Committee next Friday.

The city’s “Impulse Day” celebration took place in Cibeles Square. The crowds wore the colours of Madrid’s bid and held up cards to form a giant “Olympic Hand” – the logo of the bid.

The human mosaic was photographed from the air by helicopter and images will be sent across the world once again to underline the strength of support for the Madrid bid in all corners of the globe.

The city’s visible and colourful display of support was followed by a free concert from Spain’s David Bisbal and the fiesta included activities for everyone to enjoy including jugglers, face-painters and street artists.

The Mayor of Madrid, Mr Alberto Ruiz Gallardon said “What has happened here today is very important for the Madrid 2016 Olympic bid, because we have sent a strong message not only to the IOC members, but also to the whole Olympic Movement: that Madrid loves sport and want the Olympic and Paralympic Games”.

The official delegation starts travelling to Copenhagen tomorrow, and the Mayor has highlighted that they will travel “with a lot of strength, with all the support we have of millions of people, and convinced that we will bring the Games to Madrid”

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